Load-handling device



June 25, 1968 H. SAUSE. JR

LOAD-HANDLING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 14, 1966 Henry SouseJn INVENTOR June 25, 1968 H. SAUSE. JR I LOAD-HANDLING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 14, 1966 Henry Sause Jr.

INVENTOH 4 M44 AN 1" H6.

United States Patent 3,389,775 LOAD-HANDLING DEVICE Henry Sause, In, 3829 NE. Flanders, Portland, Oreg. 97232 Filed Nov. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 594,196 8 Claims. (Cl. 1981) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLQSURE Portable load-support apparatus for supporting a load during transshipment between adjacent locations having different elevations including a pair of parallel, laterally spaced-apart, elongated ground-engaging beam members connected adjacent one set of ends by a cross member. A pair of parallel, laterally spaced-apart, elongated loadsupport members join to the cross member and project outwardly therefrom to form cantilivers defining a loadsupport platform.

This invention relates to a load-support apparatus, and more specifically to apparatus designed temporarily to support a load placed thereon during transshipment of the load between adjacent working surfaces having differing elevations.

In the transfer of parcels or articles from a surface at one elevation to an adjacent surface at another elevation, difficulties may be encountered if fork lift trucks are employed. if the two surfaces are not laterally spread apart, then it is possible for one fork lift truck at one elevation to deposit a load in a position directly accessible to another truck at the other elevation. However, if the two surfaces are latera ly spaced apart any distance, then a fork lift truck supported on one surface is not able with its forks to span the space between the surfaces whereby it may deposit the load on the other surface.

Thus, a general object of this invention is to provide novel means for temporarily supporting loads in transshipment from a first surface at one elevation to a second surface at a dilferent elevation.

More specifically, an object is to provide a load-support device which rests on the higher of two surfaces, and has means providing a load-support platform extending outwardly therefrom, forming a cantilever over the lower of the two surfaces, providing a temporary support for articles moved between the two surfaces.

In shipping operations where ships may be moored at different points on a dock, mobility in any load-support apparatus is a decided advantage, to enable the apparatus to be placed in the best position possible for each ship. Nevertheless, stability in the load-support platform is mandatory to prevent article damage and for safety reasons. The apparatus contemplated by this invention features a unique counterweight construction having minimal mass during periods of non-use, to facilitate movement of the load-support apparatus, which mass may be increased by ballast to impart stability to the apparatus during a load-handling operation. The load-support device contemplated is also relatively simple in construction and, as a consequence, is produceable at a relatively low cost.

These and other objects and advantages are attained by the invention, and the same is described hereinbelow in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an embodiment of the invention illustrating the apparatus in operating position on a dock, and showing a pair of lift trucks in dashed outline, in positions they may have in the course of transferring a load over the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, also showing lift trucks in dashed outline;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation, similar to FIG. 1, of a modi- "ice fication of the invention, the apparatus in this instance including motor-driven conveyor adapted to move loads therealong; and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, and first to FIGS. 1 and 2, shown generally at 10 in dashed outline is a dock having a platform 10a and a raised curb 1012 at the edge of the dock. At 12 is indicated a ships deck, which is spaced laterally some distance from and at a lower elevation than platform 10a. The apparatus contemplated is for the purpose of facilitating the transfer of a load between the two supporting surfaces using lift trucks. In using the apparatus, these two elevations could be reversed, with the ships deck 12'. higher than dock platform 10a. Further, obviously, the transfer of a load could take place between other load-supporting surfaces than a dock and the deck of a ship.

Load-support apparatus constructed according to the invention is shown generally at 11. Such apparatus rests on platform 10a of the dock, or on the higher of the two elevations, and provides means temporarily for supporting a load in the transshipment of such load between the two elevations.

More specifically, apparatus 11 includes a pair of horizontal, ground-engaging beam members 13a and 13b. These two beam members are substantially parallel, and laterally spaced apart from each other, thus to bound a passageway between them on platform 10a in which vehicles may maneuver. As is seen in FIG. 1, the beam members have an opening between them at their one set of ends, at the right in FIG. 1, which opening is part of the larger space defined therebetween extending along the length of the beam members. This opening accommodates movement of'a vehicle past said ends and thence between the beam members. interconnecting members 13a, 1311, at an opposite set of their adjacent ends, is a cross member 14, which is illustrated as being horizontally disposed between the two ground-engaging members and slightly elevated above platform 10a. Such elevation of the cross member 14 enables the cross member to clear curb 10b. Members 13a, 13b, beneath cross member 14 present shoulders, such as shoulder 9, also referred to as ledge positioning means, which shoulders through engagement with curb 10b serve to position the apparatus properly with respect to the edge of the dock.

Fixed to the ends of ground-engaging members 13a, 13b, remote from the ends interconnected by member 14 are hollow ballast compartments 16a, 1612. These ballast compartments when filled with a ballast material exert a downward force on the ends of ground-engaging mem bers 13a, 13b sufficient to maintain stability in the apparatus during the handling of loads thereon. Upon emptying the compartments their mass is considerably lessened which facilitates movement of the apparatus to a new location. In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated inlet and drain connections, for filling the compartments with water and draining them, are shown at 7 and 8. While water is suggested as a ballast material, obviously other materials might be employed.

Rigidly attached at one set of ends to cross member 14, at points between the latter members connections with members 13a, 13b are load-support members 15:1, 15b. Members 15a, 15b are horizontal, substantially parallel, and laterally spaced apart from each other with an opposite set of ends remote from their connections with the cross member being unjoined to permit passage of lift forks therebetween. As is best seen in FIG. 1, members 15a, 15b have a lateral spacing which is somewhat less than the lateral spacing of the beam members and extend outwardly generally parallel to the beam members. Their upper surfaces define an essentially horizontal load-supporting platform which projects outwardly from cross member 14. With the apparatus in operative position, members a, 1512 form cantilevers extending out to one side of the dock elevated above deck 12.

Vertical stop plates 17a, 1711 or abutments are joined to load-support members 15a, 15b opposite the ends attached to cross member 14. These project above the elevation of the support plane defined by members 15a, 15b, and function to prevent loads from being inadvertently moved off the ends of the load-support members.

Shown in dashed outline is a fork lift truck 18 operating on platform 18a, and a fork lift truck 20 operating on deck 12.

Describing the operation of the apparatus, prior to transferring loads from one operating surface to the other, the load-support apparatus is moved into proper position on the upper of the two operating surfaces, with the load-supporting members extending out from the upper operating surface as cantilevers over the lower operating surface. With the apparatus in place the ballast compartments may be filled with suitable ballast material which serves temporarily to anchor it. A fork lift truck on the upper operating surface may then be maneuvcrcd in a space between ground-engaging members 13a, 13b to place its forks between load-support members 15a, 15b, as exemplified by forks 18a of lift truck 18. Many loads supported on these forks, such as the load designated at 1912, may then be lowered to rest on the load-support members with lowering of the lift truck forks. The forks themselves can drop below the level of the load-supporting platform defined by these load-support members in the space provided between these load-support members which is above cross piece 14. This load may then be shifted outwardly on the load-support members toward stops 17a, 17b, either by pushing the load directly with the forks of lift truck 18, or by pushing a load outwardly through another load subsequently deposited on the support members with the lift truck. Such will be effective to shift the load to the position of the load indicated at 19a in FIGS. 1 and 2.

A lift truck running on the lower of the two operating surfaces, or deck 12, is then enabled to pick up the load by maneuvering the truck so that its forks lie below the support members and between them, and then raising the forks of this truck to bring them up against the underside of the load. With the load picked up, it may then be removed from the apparatus to free the support members for subsequent loads.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 where a modification of the invention is illustrated, the apparatus of this modification is similar to the one just described in including spaced-apart ground-engaging members which rest on the upper of the two operating surfaces shown at a, 25b, a cross member 26 joining one set of ends of these groundengaging members, and a pair of parallel laterally spacedapart load-supporting members 27a, 271), which form cantilevers extending outwardly from the upper of the operating surfaces over the lower operating surface. The apparatus of this modification differs from the earlier described embodiment in that conveyor means shown generally at 30 is provided which may be operated to shift a load along the length of the load-support members toward the stops shown at 32a, 3212, which are mounted on the free ends of these members.

Specifically describing this conveyor means, each of the load-support members is provided with an elongated endless flat top conveyor chain 34a, 34b. The chain is mounted with an upper reach thereof extending above and along the length of the support member. Training the chain adjacent opposite ends of the this reach are sprockets, such as those shown at 36 and 38 suitably journaled in the support member adjacent its ends.

Poweroperated means is provided for moving the conveyor chain of the two support members simultaneously. Thus, mounted adjacent one side of the apparatus is a motor, such as electric motor 40. This motor is connected by chain and sprocket assembly 50 for driving purposes to an elongated shaft 52 which extends between the two support members below the level of the top of cross member 26. Interconnecting this shaft with shafts 54 and 56 connected to the two conveyor chains are chains 58 and 60.

In this modification it is contemplated control means (not shown) he provided permitting a lift truck operator or other workmen on either of the two operating levels, 10a or 12, to energize the motor when desired, thus to produce movement of the conveyor chains. With energizing of the motor any load supported on the chain is transported by the chains toward stops 32a and 32b. With the load coming against the stops further movement of the load is prevented and any continued running of the conveyor chains is accommodated with the chains sliding under the load.

With this modification of the invention an operator of a lift truck, such as that shown at 66 which runs on the upper of the two operating surfaces, need not utilize the truck to move the load outwardly on the load-support members. The operator need only deposit the load on the chains provided on the support members adjacent the right set of ends of the support members in FIGS. 3 and 4 with movement of the load toward the opposite ends of the support members being produced by operation of the conveyor. means described.

It should be obvious that while the invention has been described in connection with transferring a load from the higher of two operating surfaces to the lower one, the apparatus could also be utilized in the transshipment of loads from the lower operating surface to the upper one. In this instance the apparatus is so placed on the upper operating surface while theoriginal load placement is produced through maneuvering of the lift truck on the lower surface with load removal then being performed by the lift truck operating on the upper operating surface.

While modifications of this invention have been described, it should be obvious that variations are possible without departing from the invention. It is therefore desired to cover all such modifications and variations as would be apparent to one skilled in the art, and that come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Portable load-support apparatus for supporting a load during transshipment between two adjacent locations, each having a different elevation; said apparatus comprising a pair of substantially parallel elongated laterally spaced-apart ground-engaging beam members adapted to rest on the higher of said two elevations; said beam members having a forward and a rear set of ends, and at said rear set of ends having an opening between them, and this opening being part of a larger space defined between and extending along the length of the beam members which, with the apparatus on such higher elevation, provides a path accommodating movement of a vehicle past said rear set of ends and thence between the beam members; laterally spaced-apart elongated load-supporting members extending forwardly from the beam members adjacent their forward set of ends; and means rigidly interconnecting said ground-engaging beam and loadsupporting members including a cross member interconnecting the beam members adjacent their forward set of ends and interconnecting said load-supporting members; said load-supporting members having a forward set of ends disposed forwardly of the forward set of ends of the beam members which are unjoined from each other to permit passage of lift forks therebetween.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, which further comprises counterweight means mounted on said ground-engaging beam members adjacent their said rear set of ends.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which said counterweight means comprises at least one ballast compartment.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said groundengaging beam members are unjoined at their said rear set of ends, and which further comprises counterweight means mounted on their said rear set of ends.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein stop means is provided on said forward set of ends of said members for limiting movement of a load place on said members longitudinally of said load-supporting members.

6. Portable load-support apparatus for supporting a load during transshipment between two adjacent locations, each having a different elevation, said apparatus comprising a pair of substantially parallel elongated laterally spaced-apart ground-engaging beam members adapted to rest on the higher of the two elevations, said beam members at one set of ends having an opening between them and this opening being part of a larger spaced defined between and extending along the length of the beam members which with the apparatus on the higher elevation provides a path accommodating movement of a vehicle past said set of ends and thence between the beam members, laterally spaced-apart elongated load-supporting members extending from the beam members adjacent an oposite set of the latters end, conveyer means on the load-supporting members for moving a load on the members longitudinally of the members, said beam and loadsupporting members having a lateral spacing which is less than the lateral spacing of the beam members and extending outwardly generally parallel to the beam members, said load-supporting members defining a load-supporting platform adapted to receive a load thereon which is disposed at an elevation located above the bases of said beam members.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said conveyor means comprises a power-operated conveyor for each load-supporting member.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus includes ledge-positioning means on the underside thereof located adjacent the said opposite set of ends of the ground-engaging beam members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,536,883 1/1951 McDonald 214-44 3,258,145 6/1966 Costello 21462O 2,127,481 8/1938 Fitch 214-38 RICHARD E. AEGERTER, Primary Examiner. 

